City View Restaurant

I'm tired of cheap dim-sum where the food might be good but the restaurant is dirty. Chinese myself, I always wonder why do we do this when everyone loves our food? So, thumps up for City View: the good is authentic, no cut down on spices (I don't like fusion style, when I want ethnic food, I want it to be real), no slim down on the menu either, chicken feet, tripes, every thing. My most favorite is the Pekin duck, the skin is thin like paper and just the right crunchiness, the bun is fresh. The taro root fried is also another of my favorites. Every thing is perfect. I come back again and again and recommend to everyone I know.

Posted 02/26/09

I tried City View after reading that it was great dim sum from another reviewer... have to say I don't agree. I tried a few different dishes. All of the steamed dumplings I had were a little overcooked, and their fried shrimp were greasy (nowhere near as good as Yank Sing's). There wasn't much selection, and I was there at 1:00 pm.
I'm all for cheaper dim sum, but it wasn't that cheap! For a little more money you could get way better quality, selection, and service at Yank Sing. And for much less $, you could go to Lichee Garden Restaurant on Powell... not as good quality, but a definite deal! I don't see the appeal of this place.

Pros: Service, Quick Seating

Cons: Price, Food

Posted 11/04/07

This is the best dim sum in SF. Lucky Fortune on Geary is also very good for very reasonable prices, but this place has got it going on (for a slightly higher price). Their service was fantastic, the restaurant was very clean and spacious (not super crowded like most SF restaurants are with tiny tables), and the dishes that they offer all taste authentic. There was this tofu/eggplant stuffed with shrimp paste dish that was really good. They used an X.O. sauce I think. Their Shanghai dumplings are pretty good, so was the siu mai & shrimp dumplings. I didn't really like their rice noodles with shrimp though. You have got to try the mini buns, I'm not sure what to call it, but it is yellow, has a crispy crumb layer on the top of it and creamy pudding (similar to) inside of it. DELICIOUS! Overall, great service, ambience, and chinese food. Not to mention validation for parking across the street!

Pros: Yummy food, spacious restaurant, very clean, great service, validated parking, ambience

Cons: NONE AT ALL

Posted 09/20/07

This is my favorite Dim Sum place. It is tucked on a narrow street, but worth seeking out. The food is always fresh and taste and the servers are very friendly.

Posted 03/13/07

A great place to bring friends and family when they're visiting the city. Not a place for solo travellers. The food is wonderful, maybe a LITTLE expensive by Chinatown-standards, but well, what can you do? My friend and I arrived at 10 on Saturday - when it opens. A bit too early for a Saturday! I would say 10:30 - 11:00 AM is a good time on a Saturday to arrive. Before everyone arrives, but enough company in the room to feel convivial. Make a reservation to be safe. The waiters cart around their wares, maybe a bit too much, but you can always tell them that you have enough food! Get the sticky rice and the spring rolls. But everything seems to be good. With the two of us, it was $40 plus tip. And we ate a lot. If you've never eaten dim sum, this is the place to try it. And believe me, you must!

Pros: A convivial environment, great dim sum!, good for couples and large groups

Cons: A bit expensive by Chinatown Standards

Posted 08/04/06

The food here is the BEST! It is clean and fresh and not greasy. It is best to go before it gets to closing time (2:30) to get the best food and service. LOVE this place.

Posted 03/11/06

I decided to try out City View this last weekend and really enjoyed my meal there. The ginger pork dumplings and barbecue pork dumplings were very tasty. The shrimp (I think they were glazed in honey) were to die for and came in a very generous portion. The barbecue chicken skewers were OK. The dumplings and hot dishes were nicely offset by sauteed chinese broccoli and a plate of cold peas. I saw other tables with plates of asparagus that also looked very good. The perfect dish to top it all off was the sesame balls, one of my personal favorites. The tab came to about $40 after tip for 2 people - I think we ordered about 7 or 8 dishes. I'm sure you can get cheaper dim sum in Chinatown, but the atmosphere and overall experience is worth the extra money.

Pros: Friendly wait staff, Ambience, Excellent food

Cons: None! :)

Posted 02/19/06

While not the best HK style dim sum in SF, it is the best in Chinatown & the financial district. While there are other dim sum places in Chinatown that seems to popular with people from Hong Kong/Guandong, their charm escapes - they seem noisy & the food greasy while CITY VIEW is a classy establishment with top notch dim sum. It is a tad on the small side so get there at/before 11:30-11:45 on weekdays but it's great for client lunches and an easy walk from financial district.

Pros: Classy, Excellent Food, Client Appropriate

Cons: No Parking, Tad Small, Must Arrive Early

Posted 12/08/05

The first two times were me on the line talking to no less than 3 people, repeating my order at least 4 times, being on the phone for 30 minutes then being told that I would have to call the manager back the next day. The NEXT day I called and was told to call the manager the next day. The NEXT day I finally got to speak to the manager just to be told that catering was not available and only offered to those with an "account" and I could order but I would have to pick it up?!? I often eat here, but I will think twice about coming there again after the service I recieved regarding catering.

Posted 10/02/05

I agree with previous reviewer about how City View will give you a bigger (well, fairer) portion than Yank Sing or any other decent Dim Sum place in financial district. I personally find CityView's dim sum menu more authentic than its counterparts in the city. Maybe except for Koi Place in Daly City. Price is reasonable. Food quality is above average.

Pros: Good dim sum, Authentic HK dining, Service

Cons: No parking

Posted 02/17/03

Excellent. Most items just as good or better than Yank Sing but half the price. They give you three items on every plate. Yank Sing gives you four items and charges you double. Yank Sing's fried shrimp were better and the tofu and fish item was great, it was just not worth the extra money. City View was just fantastic.

Posted 08/28/02